I Reject That

“I reject that!” I say it so matter-of-factly now. It just rolls off my tongue. 

I’m not sure when I learned to say it—maybe my 40s have given me courage. Or, maybe I’ve grown into a full awareness of myself. But, I’ve learned to reject MY negative thoughts. And, I’ve also learned to reject negative things people say to and about me, especially when they are trying to be hurtful and malicious. I’m not sure where or how I came to this important and necessary conclusion, but the boldness, balance, and boundaries that these simple words exude are priceless. 

Balance, Boundaries & Boldness

It takes even more boldness to tell someone, “I reject what you just said about me,” but the balance and boundaries that it brings to my mind, heart, and spirit is worth it.

Studies have shown that we produce up to 50,000 thoughts a day, and some say that 70%-80% of those thoughts are negative. Wow, that’s a lot, even if it's just a fraction of the amount. Talk about mind blowing. But, what these statistics really say to me is . . . I have the power to correct my negative self-talk and frame my world with positive words. What a bold commitment to my mental health and self-care!

It takes even more boldness to tell someone, “I reject what you just said about me,” but the balance and boundaries that it brings to my mind, heart, and spirit is worth it. Now sure, if someone tells me the truth in love, it will cause me to search my heart. Then, it’s my responsibility to change or adjust in ways that align with God’s Word–that’s the truth that the Bible talks about in Philippians 4:8, “. . . whatsoever things are true, . . . think on these things.” As such, I’m further encouraged to focus on things that are true, honest, pure, lovely, and of good report much like Philippians explains. 

I love how Jeremiah 29:11 sets the stage for helping me understand how God thinks about me, “For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the Lord, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end.”

So yeah, I reject negative thoughts and sayings, I only want to think about what God thinks about me. Because according to Jeremiah 29:11, God has thoughts of peace and not of evil because He has an expected end for me.

Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things. Philippians 4:8

So, anybody else reject that . . .?